YOGA HOUSE WEEKLY
At Yoga House we have plenty to keep you warm and nourished on these long cold nights.
We have two Winter Offers to tell you about. Our resident acupuncturist Saskia shares some Winter Wellness tips from Chinese Medicine.
We have two amazing workshops this weekend. On Saturday is our first Yoga Rave. Imir will lead a few sequences in a slow pace, and once you find your groove you can flow along to the music provided by DJ Nath_EPS.
Sunday we slow things down with a Winter Solstice Yin & Alchemy Bowls with Patricia & Kasia. Take time to rest and reflect the year that has been.
We still have some great gifts on offer and some wonderful workshops planned in 2023.
HAPPY READING
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All Members for the month of December can bring their friend to class for FREE!
Everyone needs some relaxation in December so treat a friend and bring them to the studio.
All you need to do is email
support@yogahouselondon.co.uk |
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Winter Wellness tips from a traditional
Chinese Medicine Perspective
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Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) teaches that for optimal health and wellbeing, it is best to live in accordance with the seasons. By adjusting to your environment, you’ll stay in harmony with nature and retain your internal state of balance. By consolidating your Qi (vital energy) during the winter months, you are nourishing and strengthening your immune system and preparing your body for the outburst of new life and energy in the spring.
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According to TCM philosophy, all aspects of life are seen to exist in an ever-changing balance of Yin and Yang. The season of winter is the most Yin of seasons: it is dark, cold and a time to preserve energy, turn inward, keep warm and slow down. Summer in opposition is the most Yang of seasons.
Each season belongs to a particular element and has unique correspondences. Winter corresponds to the element of Water and to the Kidney organs, considered the foundation of Yin and Yang in the body and the source of our most consolidated and essential form of Qi within the body, and the storehouse of Qi reserves. These reserves can be used in times of stress or change, or to heal or prevent illness and to age gracefully, but they are finite and therefore precious and need to be nurtured.
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So how can you embrace the winter months while nourishing and caring for your Kidneys, keeping your Water element in balance and preserving your Qi?
- Avoid raw and cold food. These tend to cool down the body. The less you direct internal warmth to digest cold foods, the more Qi is available to support other bodily functions. Keep those smoothies, ice creams and salads for the summer months.
- Favour warm foods. It is time to bring out the slow cooker! Support your Kidneys with warm and hearty soups and slow-cooked stews.
- Eat nourishing foods. These include walnuts, chestnuts, black sesame, kidney beans, black beans, figs, dates, dark leafy greens, seaweeds, root vegetables, whole grains, pears… And one of Chinese medicine’s elixirs: bone broth. These will all help to supplement Qi, Yang, Yin and Blood during the cold winter months.
- Drink herbal tea. Tea is a wonderful way of keeping hydrated while benefiting from the warming properties that some herbs and spices can offer, in mild and safe doses. Spices such as cinnamon, ginger, chai, cardamom, nutmeg, and star anise…are all delicious in a cuppa.
- Take it slow. Willpower belongs to the Water element. Apply it, listen to your body and give yourself permission to stay in and rest. Make your exercise routines gentle and meditative such as Qi Gong and Yin Yoga. And get plenty of sleep.
- Keep warm…especially your lower back/Kidney area and neck area. Scarves, gloves, beanies, and woolly socks are your best friends. For extra warmth use a hot water bottle or a haramaki body warmer. Keep your feet warm as the sole of your foot is where the Kidney meridian begins.
- Lastly, I have to mention Acupuncture which can assist your body in finding harmony with the natural Qi of this time of year. Using specific points and channels, your Kidney Qi and the energy of the Water element in your body can be balanced.
There is also an important concept in Chinese medicine that we must “nourish our Shen (spirit)” – so allow yourself the guilty pleasures that bring you joy. I will certainly be indulging in a mince pie or three.
I will be in the beautiful and cosy Yoga House therapy room in the run-up to Christmas and in the New Year if you feel like you are in need of a pre- or post-festive seasonal boost. I also offer vouchers if you would like to give the gift of acupuncture to a friend or family.
To find out more about acupuncture and Saskia Hawkins Acupuncture, here are her details:
www.saskiahawkins.com
hello@saskiahawkins.com
0759 328 3980
@saskiaacupuncture
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Yoga Club | Shake you Asana
With Imir, DJ NATH_EPS & Bottle Bar
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Join Imir for a guided practice that will lead you intuitively into the flow with music. DJ Nath_EPS will provide the chilled tunes, while Bottle Bar Catford will supply mocktails.
Saturday 17 December | 6-9pm | £25*| Catford
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Winter Solstice Aroma Yin & Alchemy Bowl Sound
with Patricia & Kasia
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Prepare for the darkest night of the year. Give yourself the gift to experience these through the practice of Yin with Essential Oils, Cacao Ceremony and the beautiful sound of the Alchemy Bowls
Sunday 18th December | 4-6pm | Lee Studio | £25
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Christmas Eve | Gong & Alchemy Bowl Sound Bath
with Kasia & Junior
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Join us for our annual Christmas Eve get together by our Gong Master Junior Valentine and Alchemy Bowl Practitioner Kasia Blackwell.
Saturday 24 December | 2.30-4pm
Lee Studio | £25*
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Christmas Gifts for your Yogi
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Gift Vouchers
We offer vouchers for classes, packages, memberships or workshops.
You can buy one online or pop into studio and pick up a gift card
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Retreats
Really treat someone with one of our retreats.
You can join us in Turkey or Morocco in 2023.
Payment plans are available.
And why not treat yourself too!
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Workshops
Our 2023 workshop schedule is already packed with options. Find your yogi a workshop for rest, play or learning. For teachers, we have our Teacher Series to expand skills and we have a Beginners Workshop too.
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Studio Shop
We have; Yoga House t-shirts; leggings from Vayumudra & Skimmed Milk; Yogi Bare mats; House scented candles; jewellery & much more.
Pop in a find the perfect stocking filler.
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Treatment
After the Christmas haze settles, wouldn’t everyone want a massage or healing session? Our treatment room in Catford is haven. An after class massage is the perfect way to spend a day. Take a look at our treatments.
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